THE DIGNITY OF WORK
By: Fr. Brian Steele, MGL
Happy month of May! Today, May 1, is traditionally seen as a celebration of all workers since we are blessed with the dignity of work. We take as our example the life of St. Joseph, who was a carpenter by trade. Let us beseech his intercession in our workplace and among our colleagues to discover again the beauty and dignity of work. Some might ask, “What is so good about work?” It pays the bills, it provides food on the table and it helps pass time. Right? Wrong!
Yes, these things are true, superficially, but we must celebrate work since we are co-creators with God, and He has given us the necessary abilities and talents to work. We share in the work of God, who has blessed the work of our hands. It is God whom we serve with our work, sharing in the purpose of God to be fruitful and multiply, as our First Reading says.
Today, the Church turns our thoughts to a simple, unassuming and humble carpenter named Joseph. The Gospel gives us sparing details about Joseph, but we can read between the lines and be somewhat amazed at the life of Joseph. The townsfolk of Jesus ridicule Him as the son of a carpenter. They cannot accept His wisdom and power.
In the same way, whatever work we do will always attract ridicule from some people. Many will criticize our efforts, labor and hours poured into our work. But if we turn all our efforts to God, our attitude will change and we can see beyond the tiring hours, the sweat of our brows and the pain of labor. God will be pleased with us.
Whatever work we do — paid or voluntary, behind the desk or out in the field — can be a great offering to the Lord. I could imagine Joseph offering all his efforts to God, or imagine him teaching his foster son a trade, and imagine the joy and success shared by Joseph and Jesus at the end of a working day. Let us reclaim for ourselves the dignity of work and look beyond it to see God doing wonderful things in our lives.
REFLECTION QUESTIONS: How do you carry out your duties at work? Is it with gratefulness and thanksgiving to God, or is it with grumbling?
